Rout of Austrian far–right Freedom Party

SOCIAL Democrats, conservatives and Greens have formed a governing coalition in the Austrian province of Carinthia after a regional election rout of the far-right Freedom Party in its traditional southern stronghold.

Corruption scandals punished the anti-immigrant Freedom Party in Carinthia, where late leader Joerg Haider had built it into a national political force.

Billionaire Frank Stronach’s new eurosceptic party has also sapped its support.